Cucumber Gazpacho With Shrimp And Melon Recipes

SHRIMP AND MELON GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan. You will be using it as a court bouillon - a poaching liquid for the shrimp. The court bouillon is not actually part of the soup. Poach the shrimp in their shells until just pink and remove to a platter to cool. (Shrimp cooked in its shell retains more flavor).
• While the shrimp are cooling, combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, tomatillos, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon in a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop. Remove to a bowl and squeeze in the juice of the fresh lemon, being careful not to drop any remaining lemon seeds into the mix. Add the chopped chives, and stir to combine.
• Peel the shrimp and finely dice. Stir the shrimp into the fruit/vegetable mixture and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Chill well.
• In the episode, we served this gazpacho as an hors d'oeuvres in porcelain Chinese spoons. You can do the same or be creative by using your own choice of individual serving vessel such as sake cups, rice bowls or even 2 ounce ramekins with demitasse spoons. It can also be served as an appetizer in soup bowls.

WATERMELON GAZPACHO WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Slice the bread 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and remove the crust from all but 4 slices. Tear the crustless slices into pieces and pulse in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Add the chopped watermelon to the food processor along with the chopped scallion, tomato, half each of the cucumber and jalapeno and 1/4 cup cold water; puree. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup olive oil and the juice of 1 lime. Stir in 2 tablespoons mint, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with olive oil. Toss the shrimp and whole scallions with the juice of the remaining lime and 2 tablespoons each olive oil and mint, the garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Grill the shrimp until marked, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue grilling until cooked through, about 2 more minutes. Grill the scallions until lightly charred, 1 minute per side. Brush the remaining bread slices with olive oil and grill until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
• Top each serving of gazpacho with the diced watermelon and the remaining cucumber and jalapeno; drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the grilled shrimp, scallions, bread and lime wedges.

CUCUMBER GAZPACHO WITH SHRIMP AND MELON

Steps:

• In blender or food processor, combine coarsely chopped cucumber, scallions, coarsely chopped herbs, ginger, garlic, olive oil, and yogurt and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and hot sauce, then transfer to large airtight container and refrigerate 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
• In small bowl, stir together shrimp and remaining cucumbers, herbs, and salt.
• Fold watermelon or cantaloupe into soup. Divide soup evenly among 4 chilled bowls and top each with dollop of shrimp mixture. Serve immediately.